Thursday, January 14, 2010
January 17 ... Genesis 48 - 50 "Do I Act for God"
Gen 49:6 "I want no part in my two sons' bitter feuds." If we really love, aren't we going to stand in the way (whatever that looks like---no formulas) of our children and say---that's not right with me and that's not right with God. And I love you enough to move into your life. What happened in Israel's heart? Why could he feel like he lost everything if he lost Ben and Joseph? Here is a man of God who is flawed. We all live with our depravity. Why would God put this story of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph in Genesis? What courage, what passion, what a mess at times. But they lift us to the Higher Story of a Grand God they all did set their hearts right to follow, only poorly at times. Today, my son is getting married so we've shared a lot of stories and toasts and love this weekend. This mom has thought a whole lot about how I've parented and that's a hard thing to take a look at---your failures and God's rescues. My son is an awesome young man and I so want him to find his own Beautiful God that he has followed to this chapter. Today's reading: "Do I act for God?" Nothing can destroy me in my relationships. I must find places in my heart to offer true love and joy over the ones I adore. Pray for our family as I renew vows in my heart and listen to the ones my son will take before his father and Holy God!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It's marathon morning in Houston. I'm going to teach the little ones then head over to watch the race. As I read this morning, I noticed how Joseph always took the high road. He had cause for revenge, if there is such a thing. His heart for God was more important. He didn't live for circumstances or others, but God alone. And He gave God the credit. The verse that touches my heart is when he tells his brothers who live in fear of his revenge, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
ReplyDeleteI might be inclined to forgive and just let my brothers wonder what my next move was. Just as the Lord gives us reassurance in forgiveness to live our lives in peace, Joseph allowed his brothers to rest easier knowing the were forgiven. Forgiveness was also a gift Joseph gave himself, not to be distracted all his life cooking up schemes of revenge, but moving mightily as a patriarch of Israel.
Jacob's blessings moved me, also. Wondering if their father's words stirred any shame or simply rang true--He called it as he saw it, but for most of the brothers, those would be hard words to hear as their last from their beloved father.
Did it say why Joseph chose to give the first-born blessing to Ephraim over Manasseh?
Have a great Sunday everyone.
May you receive "Blessings tumbling out of the skies, blessings bursting up from the Earth—blessings of breasts and womb.
May the blessings of your father exceed the blessings of the ancient mountains,surpass the delights of the eternal hills;
May they rest on your head."
"Wait in hope for your salvation."
Bev - I am praying for both you and Bob as you release your son to his new life. I pray for joy, perspective, and God's peace for you today and in the days to come.
ReplyDeleteI too was a little baffled by Jacob's blessings for some of his sons. Some sounded more like curses and I wonder how they received them from him.
The words that spoke to me today was 50:17b. "When Joseph received their message, he wept." After all that he'd done for his brothers to show them his love, support, and forgiveness, after they sold him into slavery, they still doubted him. That must have been heartbreaking for him.
I feel like I've been in the same situation - having my character and motives doubted - after doing all that I could to love, support and encourage. Not perfectly, of course. I love that Joseph was just able to answer their question graciously, with no apparent sarcasm or bitterness, and with a right view of his God. I too need to remember Joseph's response, "Do I act for God?"
Wow, some of these blessings from Jacob sound more like a curse!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how Jacob blessed Joseph's sons. It is a picture of a double blessing for JOSEPH. Joseph receives a blessing together with his brothers, but a special moment of blessing is given to Ephraim and Manasseh (and out of order of birth).
I would see that as a double blessing for Joseph.
Ephraim and Manasseh were blessed out of order of birth. This appears to be divinely inspired by Jacob. He knew what he was doing when he placed his right hand on the younger grandson.
I will ask him about that when I get to heaven!
I can only ponder this right now and I truly believe what you are seeing here is the divine revelation of Jesus Christ as the SECOND ADAM hidden here in the Old Testament almost prophetically. Once again, we know that satan is out to destroy the line of Christ. Suddenly, and without anyone else's knowledge, Jacob blesses Joseph's YOUNGEST son over the eldest. Wonder if this through satan's plans off-balance?
This eldest serving the youngest is a thread woven through this book of the Bible. I think it reveals the first Adam being perfected in the second Adam, Jesus Christ.
There is also a commentary on the biblegateway site for this blessing of Joseph's two sons:
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/Matthew-Henry/Gen/Jacob-Blesses-Josephs-Sons
Here's a link about the Second Adam:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/adam-the-second.html
I guess, bottom-line, God divinely has His Hand in these situations and He does as He pleases. But I prefer to think that God is showing us all that a SECOND ADAM is coming through this line of Abraham that will bless all mankind.
"Suddenly, and without anyone else's knowledge, Jacob blesses Joseph's YOUNGEST son over the eldest. Wonder if this through satan's plans off-balance?"
ReplyDeleteI made a typo and it is confusing. We have enough to deal with trying to understand this without my adding a typo here. So, here's my correction:
"Suddenly, and without anyone else's knowledge, Jacob blesses Joseph's YOUNGEST son over the eldest. Wonder if this threw satan's plans off-balance?"
And Bev, I am praying for you today. I pray that you will feel God's Hand on your beautiful head, blessing you and sanctifying you as set apart for His use. May this marriage be hemmed in by His Hand of protection and providence. Praying God's blessings on you and yours today, sweet Bev!
As we wrap of Genesis I am challenged to continue to trust God and wait on his timing to bring about whatever it is He is working on and when I am wavering, remember Joseph's example.
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled we all made it through our first book together. All your comments have been such a blessing to me, and opened my eyes to see things I had not seen before. Have a blessed week!!!
ReplyDelete-Kim
I second what Kim just said. It has been so valuable to me to hear your hearts and what lingers and stirs you to a Greater Story.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not getting up the postings for this week earlier. My extended family has been in town for the wedding and the computer was not available.
Deborah, your comments on the Second Adam are a beautiful aroma of Christ coming to save. So very good.
ReplyDelete